Saturday, 31 October 2009

Blogging again

Apologies for the long radio silence. I'm moving house... so although I now feel that there are things I want to blog about again and that might be worth someone else reading (though only 'might'), I may not have much time.

But I thought I should draw this to the attention of anyone who might still be listening...

As much as I harbour doubts about Guantanamo, we in the West are in a fight with an enemy that knows no boundaries to what it will do to destroy us and our freedoms. A real challenge to anyone who is a liberal (and by that, I mean liberal rather than socialist - Sunny Hoondal take note) - do we stick rigidly to our principles, or compromise ourselves (and perhaps sacifice others' lives as a result)? I don't think the answer to this one is easy...

concerning gitmo . of course the question is easy. the use of torture is always wrong even to save lives. ever evil person who used it had an excuse at reason and it went something like. those people are dangerous and we need to protect ourselves,even hitler used that onethe question is hard if you lack moralsthen you struggle with protecting yourself against someone else's pain

but if you know that nothing good comes from evil , except good intentionsremember Jesus while being tempted by satan? he offered to help Jesus do good, a short cut a easy way to help the world with out any suffering on his part, what could be wrong with that?same questionsame temptationthe more things change the more the stay the same

Political

Recently Drunk (Health fascists - FOAD!)

Le Mandolare Recioto di Soave, 2002 - 17/20 (A good recioto di soave, but I've had better ones. Lots of dried fruit, but needs a little more structure to balance the sweetness. Good for the price - this can be very expensive stuff...)

Linden Cabernet Franc, Virginia, US, 2001 - 18/20 (A very well balanced, structured wine that is closer in sensibility to France than its Californian cousins. If you get the chance, try it! Even if the winemaker sounds like a wine ponce! :-)

Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel, California, 2000 - 18/20 (One of the few Ridge Zins that might have been better drunk younger (although it could be that this will open up again given a few more years) - the 1999s are still wonderful, but this is probably just beyond its best. Nonetheless, still full of Ridge's trademark deep, structured fruit and better than almost anything else out there...)

Faustino I Rioja, Gran Reserva, 1996 - 17.5/20 (As the link suggests, supposed to be a top-class Rioja, but I'm not 100% convinced - I'd go for Muga instead. But - especially at a discount from the local supermarket - not at all bad, especially with a good steak)

Joseph Phelps Insignia, Napa Valley, 1993 - 20/20 (I've drunk Ridge Monte Bello, Penfolds Grange... THIS is the best wine I have ever tasted. Complex but still retaining its fruit, perfection in a glass. And even a Frenchman had to agree! :-)